HKLR03: successful completion of the first section of the pipe piling work

An important stage of the Hong Kong Link Road 03 project has recently been completed. In October 2015, Intrafor has finalised the installation of the canopy pipes on one of the two sections that make up the construction site.

The two sections correspond to the two tunnels that will be excavated under the Airport Express Link (AEL), the railway that connects Hong Kong’s International Airport to the city centre. The canopy roofing system has been designed to improve the stability of the ground and minimise settlement, allowing the AEL to continue operating during the construction of the tunnels.

The steel-casing pipes have been installed using two tailor-made Front-Steer drilling rigs. This innovative equipment – developed by Intrafor in partnership with two international suppliers – has been employed to drill the pipes through a mixed soil profile, with the presence stiff boulders and hard granite rock. Despite these challenging ground conditions, the team has met the overall requirements in terms of drilling accuracy.

On the first completed section of the project, Intrafor has drilled and grouted 20 pipes of 813mm OD. The work on the second section, which involves the installation of 24 pipes of the same diameter, has already begun. In the meantime, Intrafor has started the preparatory work for the box jacking of the tunnels’ segments, whose sliding will be performed by VSL.

Once completed, the tunnels running underneath the AEL will be connected to the proposed Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge and Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link. This new road network will improve transportation and promote economic integration within the Pearl River Delta Region.